Rodgers blames frustration for Gerrard red card

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers indicated that frustration may
have played a role in captain Steven Gerrard being sent off just 38
seconds after coming on in their 2-1 home Premier League defeat to
Manchester United on Sunday.

Gerrard - who came off the bench at half-time - saw red for a
stamp on United midfielder Ander Herrera in his final game against
Liverpool's biggest rivals before leaving for LA Galaxy.

The hosts were trailing 1-0 through Juan Mata's strike when
Gerrard was dismissed, and fell 2-0 behind in the 59th minute
through a spectacular scissor-kick from the Spaniard.

Daniel Sturridge halved the deficit, but a comeback never
materialised, with United forward Wayne Rooney seeing an
injury-time penalty saved by Simon Mignolet after Emre Can had
felled Daley Blind.

Rodgers told Sky Sports: "Steven apologised to the players and
me in the dressing room. It was probably frustration, we didn't put
a tackle in in the first half but the players adjusted well.

"I was disappointed with the first half, our start position was
way too deep. They were excellent and deserved their lead. But the
players showed incredible bravery in the second half and showed
character.

"Without playing great, we still had a good chance. We needed
some luck but it wasn't to be. We will get a reaction after this
and finish the season strongly."

Ugly scenes somewhat marred the end of an enthralling game after
Martin Skrtel appeared to stamp on United goalkeeper David de
Gea.

"I have seen the Martin Skrtel incident," Rodgers added. "The
ball was played through but it probably looks worse in slow
motion.

"It looks like he is trying to get a nick on the ball, to get a
toe on it the ball went into the goalkeeper's hands. Martin is not
that type of player, he was just a fraction out.

"We have to refocus on our next game and we knew there would be
one or two defeats on reaching our points total."